Magnetorheological damping device for reduction or elimination of vibration in steering systems
First Claim
1. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
- a magnetorheological material embedded in an open-network carrier and directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft;
a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and
a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft, wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
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a magnetorheological material embedded in an open-network carrier and directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft;
a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and
a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft, wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
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a magnetorheological material directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, and having a viscosity such that seals are not needed to contain the magnetorheological material;
a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and
a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft, wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
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a housing at least partially surrounding the steering shaft that does not rotate with the steering shaft;
a coil and a flux carrier fixedly attached to the housing at a radially outer position; and
a magnetorheological material extending between the coil and the steering shaft;
wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases the viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit rotation of the steering shaft, and wherein seals are not needed to contain the MR material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for damping vibrations in a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, comprising:
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embedding a magnetorheological material in an open-network carrier and directly or indirectly placing the magnetorheological material in contact with the steering shaft;
arranging a coil in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material;
providing a body that does not rotate with the steering shaft, and which is in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material; and
applying a voltage to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation between the steering shaft and the body.
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Specification